Seahawks trade for Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor

The Seattle Seahawks made a surprising move on Monday, acquiring Oakland Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor for a seventh-round pick in next month’s NFL draft. The team confirmed the move via Twitter.

Terrelle Pryor became the newest member of the Seahawks on Monday. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

According to reports from multiple sources, the Hawks weren’t the only team interested in the services of Pryor, as the San Francisco 49ers were also said to be pursuing the 24-year-old signal-caller.

Pryor started 10 games over three seasons with the Raiders, passing for 1,953 yards, 9 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. A true dual-threat quarterback, Pryor has also racked up 627 rushing yards and 3 additional scores.

At first glance, Seattle’s acquisition of the former Ohio State Buckeye doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense. The team is set at the quarterback position with Russell Wilson entering his third year as a starter. Tarvaris Jackson has proven to be a valuable backup who can start in a pinch, while second-year player B.J. Daniels was the developmental third man on the depth chart.

But Seattle GM John Schneider has never shied away from adding more talent to his roster, and his use of the word “athlete” when describing Pryor may give some indication that they see him as more than a passer:

GM John Schneider: "Terrelle is an incredibly explosive athlete and we’re excited for him to come in and compete." http://t.co/uUGnVQAkyy

Or it might be reading too much into a meaningless comment. But the 6-foot-4, 233-pound Pryor is undoubtedly an elite athlete, reportedly running a blistering 4.36-second 40-yard dash while auditioning for NFL scouts in 2011.

The No. 1 recruit in country in 2008, Pryor was also a highly sought-after basketball player coming out of high school. He became only the second true freshman to start at quarterback for Ohio State, where he led the Buckeyes to two Big Ten championships and three BCS bowl game appearances in his three years as starter.

But his career in Columbus came to an abrupt end after he was alleged to have taken impermissible benefits under NCAA regulations and exchanged memorabilia for cash in violation of NCAA rules. Ohio State’s alleged cover-up of the violations eventually led to the program vacating all results for the 2010 season and the resignation of head football coach Jim Tressel.

In the aftermath, Pryor left the school and declared himself eligible for the supplemental draft, where he was taken by the Raiders in the third round.

In Oakland, Pryor was once seen as the possible long-term answer at quarterback, but he fell out of favor with third-year head coach Dennis Allen and general manager Reggie McKenzie and wasn’t expected back in 2014.

The trade marks the second year in a row that Schneider made a splashy move heading into the draft. Last March, the Seahawks traded their first-and-seventh-round picks in last year’s draft — plus a third-round selection in 2014 — for Minnesota wide receiver Percy Harvin. After barely contributing throughout the regular season, Harvin played a large role in Super Bowl XLVIII, returning the second-half kickoff for an 87-yard touchdown in the Seahawks’ 43-8 romp.

Monday’s trade leaves the Seahawks with just six picks in May’s draft.

What do you think of the Seahawks' acquisition of Terrelle Pryor?

I like it! This team is all about competition, even at quarterback.

I'm confused. Don't the Hawks already have Russell Wilson?

I don't like it. With Wilson and Tarvaris Jackson, it's a waste of a draft pick.